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Investigation of fresh herbs and pepper from retail on presumptive Bacillus cereus with subsequent characterization of the isolates
Project
Project code: BfR-BIOS-08-1322-651
Contract period: 01.01.2016
- 31.12.2017
Purpose of research: Applied research
Bacillus (B.) cereus is an ubiquitous, spore-forming bacterium belonging to the family of Bacillaceae. Bacillus spores are found in soil, but also in food of animal and especially of plant origin. Some of the strains are able to produce toxins. The associated food-poisoning syndomes can be divided into the emetic (caused by the toxin cereulide) and diarrheal type (caused by the toxins Hbl, Nhe and / or CytK). B. thuringiensis also harbours the plasmid-encoded genes for parasporal endotoxins having insecticidal activity and is therefore often ingredient of biological pesticides. Aim of this project is to investigate fresh herbs and subsequently sweet peppers from retail for the presence of presumptive B. cereus. The isolates obtained will be further characterized. For species assignment a Real-time based PCR system has to be established and MALDI-TOF analysis should be performed. To estimate the risk potential genotypic and phenotypic toxin profiles are planned and MLST analysis for the assignment to clonal complexes. The results will be used in order to assess the prevalence of presumptive Bacillus cereus in foods of plant origin. If necessary, they may also be used for questions concerning the authorization of certain pesticides. The isolates obtained will be incorporated in our strain collection for further method development.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Processing
- Food microbiology
